Chapter Thirty-Eight: A Display of Methods, The Black Lotus Incarnate

However, following the direction of Han Chong’s palm, it was not towards the area where the two were locked in fierce combat, but instead pointed at a pile of scattered rocks. There, Han Chong’s left hand, with two fingers raised like a sword, emitted a faint white glow as he gestured toward Duan Wenxuan.

One moment, Duan Wenxuan was still wondering what technique this could be; the next, his eyes widened in astonishment. That elegant and poised figure, with movements as fluid as drifting clouds and a calm smile on his face, suddenly staggered—struck squarely on the head by a gray stone the size of a washbasin.

Though the stone fell only a foot or so, and its sudden descent lacked lethal force, it was enough to send him reeling, causing his sword energy and black lotus to instantly dissipate.

The old guild master finally seized a chance to breathe. With a powerful palm strike, he landed a heavy blow on Duan Wenxuan’s chest—a resounding crack echoed as several of his ribs broke.

Blood as black as ink spurted from Duan Wenxuan’s mouth as he staggered back, turning in shock. The Peach Blossom Eyes captain stood there, dumbfounded, caught in Duan Wenxuan’s furious gaze, shivering under his glare. Glancing to his side, he found Han Chong had already vanished.

“You brat, are you seeking death?” Duan Wenxuan’s handsome features twisted with rage as he roared, frightening the captain into stumbling backwards.

But the old guild master, seasoned by countless battles, would never let such an opportunity slip by. He pressed his attack, sending another palm strike toward Duan Wenxuan.

Duan Wenxuan’s eyes grew solemn, his figure suddenly becoming elusive and ghostly as he dodged the old man’s fierce blows, all the while inching closer to the Peach Blossom Eyes captain.

Vice Guild Master Luo, who had been watching from a distance, caught Duan Wenxuan’s meaningful glance and immediately charged toward the hapless captain, a menacing grin spreading across his face as he prepared to end his life with a single blow.

But the captain’s old problem surfaced again: faced with danger, his mind went blank with terror. He was paralyzed, unable to move or even think—confused and dazed.

“Han Chong, where did you go? Don’t leave me!” he wailed, verging on tears.

“Stop your noise, I’m right beside you—I haven’t left!” came a low whisper in his ear.

Instantly overjoyed, the captain realized Han Chong hadn’t abandoned him after all!

Just as Vice Guild Master Luo closed in, ready to strike, a black sword suddenly pierced through his chest, skewering him on the spot. His eyes bulged with unwillingness and rage as he collapsed to the ground.

The captain’s performance was simply too convincing—Luo hadn’t suspected a thing. Otherwise, he could have easily dodged that fatal blow.

Duan Wenxuan stared in disbelief as Luo fell dead, his heart filled with suspicion—this pale-faced youth was truly bizarre!

Left with no choice, Duan Wenxuan focused all his attention back on the old guild master, hoping to end the fight swiftly.

Yet, time and again, an inexplicable gray stone would come crashing down on his head, making him howl in frustration and deepening his hatred for the Peach Blossom Eyes captain.

“Hurry, draw your bow and scare him!” a low command sounded in the captain’s ear.

He hastily took out his bow and arrow, aiming at Duan Wenxuan with trembling hands.

As the captain poured his essence into the Ghostscar Bow, a yellowish-white light enveloped it, and a chilling aura locked onto Duan Wenxuan, startling him into even greater caution.

“Damn you all, you’ll die today!” Duan Wenxuan finally exploded in fury, suddenly ripping off the upper half of his white robe and tossing it aside.

On his chest, there was also a pitch-black lotus, but this one was twice as large and even more sinister and vibrant than those seen on Ding Xingxiu or Yu Tianlong.

The black lotus at his chest slowly rotated, exuding sizzling black flames—yet he showed no sign of pain.

Now, the old guild master dared not strike at his chest again. One touch of that black fire and he’d be finished—no one would risk it. Already outmatched, his movements became even more restrained; he was immediately forced onto the defensive.

Han Chong realized he had no choice but to intervene—but recklessly charging in would only alert the enemy, not subdue him.

Duan Wenxuan’s techniques shifted once more. His right hand, still shaped like a sword, emitted flickering sword light, while his left palm suddenly swept across his chest, igniting with black flames.

The old guild master was even less able to resist, on the verge of being burned alive.

At that critical moment, Duan Wenxuan’s expression froze, his steps faltering. Looking down, he saw nothing—but he could clearly feel two massive hands gripping his ankles. No matter how hard he struggled, he couldn’t break free.

Impossible! Could there be ghosts lurking beneath the earth?

Before he could ponder further, a jet of blue flames erupted from the ground, engulfing him and turning him into a blazing, human-shaped fireball.

With a blood-curdling scream, the grip finally loosened, and Duan Wenxuan broke free, shrieking in terror.

Could this really have burned him to death? Han Chong was somewhat concerned. Though he meant to kill Duan Wenxuan in the end, he still hadn’t discovered why he had founded this cult and amassed such wealth.

But Han Chong’s worries were unnecessary—in fact, what unfolded was even more astonishing.

The human torch that was Duan Wenxuan gradually shed its limbs, transforming into a massive black lotus. The blue flames could not destroy it; instead, its surface exuded even more terrifying black fire, quickly snuffing out the blue blaze.

The three onlookers were dumbstruck—Duan Wenxuan was actually a black lotus in human form!

The black lotus rose into the air, spinning slowly, radiating both black fire and sword energy as it charged at the old guild master.

But neither the old master nor Han Chong could do anything but keep their distance and avoid its deadly path.

The black lotus glided like a phantom, felling trees in the dense forest with every swipe, burning them to cinders as if nothing could stand in its way.

Yet, Duan Wenxuan knew full well he couldn’t kill the old guild master, nor could he flush out the mysterious figure lurking nearby.

Suddenly, the black lotus veered off, speeding toward the Egret River beyond the forest.

The two men pursued it, watching helplessly as the black lotus submerged itself in the water and vanished.

Han Chong finally revealed himself, bowed to the old guild master, and dove headlong into the river, chasing after the black lotus.

Beneath the water, the lotus no longer emitted black flames or sword energy, but its speed was astonishing—gliding through the current as if unimpeded.

Han Chong pushed himself to the utmost, giving chase. Judging by its direction, the lotus seemed to be fleeing back toward Egret Academy.

At last, Duan Wenxuan’s pace slowed as Han Chong followed from a distance, keeping himself hidden. He watched as the lotus finally reached a pond behind the academy.

In the center of the pond stood a bare lotus stalk as black as ink. From the mud below, several segments of white lotus root protruded, and soon, these began to take the shape of a human body.

The black lotus transformed into a chest marking and merged into the new form—Duan Wenxuan reappeared, swimming to the shore without the slightest injury.

So, Duan Wenxuan was a black lotus spirit, a being born of lotus root!

Beasts, though difficult to cultivate, could still, out of hundreds, yield one that attained spirit form. But for plants or stones to reach this stage was ten or a hundred times more difficult. Once they did, however, they became even more mysterious—capable of regenerating lost bodies, their vitality far surpassing that of animals.

Who would have thought Duan Wenxuan was such a creature? And after that fierce battle, he recovered completely—making him even harder to deal with.

Han Chong lingered beneath the water, lost in thought, unable to devise a plan.

Yet, he remained fascinated by the black lotus stalk and the lotus root in the mud.

But Duan Wenxuan was still nearby; he dared not act rashly. Only after waiting half an hour did Han Chong finally approach the black lotus stalk.

Quickly clearing away the mud, he dug up the lotus roots—there were more than ten segments. Gathering them up, he swam swiftly away.

A furious roar erupted from the academy director’s courtyard—Duan Wenxuan, enraged and wild-eyed, dashed madly toward the back of the academy and leapt headlong into the Egret River.

The scene sent the academy’s teachers and students into a panic—the director had thrown himself into the river!

Some who could swim dove in to search, but there was no trace of the director to be found.